It's a gorgeous evening, Philly, and a perfect evening to embrace fall happenings all over town — from fashion events and art openings to live theater and brew-fueled dinners. (Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC)

As the fall festival season swings in to its prime — there are more than a dozen scheduled for this weekend alone! — this city’s opportunities for festive happenings rolls back well into Wednesday.

With the weather cooperating so beautifully, you’ll definitely want to head out tonight to take advantage of a slew of after-dark happenings — from fashion and shopping events with The Philadelphia Collection and an opening reception at the Institute of Contemporary Art, to live theater with the Fringe Festival and plenty of toasting with two Oktoberfests.

Our top picks for tonight, below.

• The Philadelphia Collection 2013: Put your fashion foot forward, The Philadelphia Collection launches today for a weeklong run of haute happenings. Tonight, attend everything from a men’s happy hour with shoe shines and a trunk show at Barclay Prime to an accessories-centric shopping event complete with a red carpet and make-up demos. The full events for tonight (and the week!) is available here.

When: Wednesday, September 18Where: Various locationsCost: Varies

• Fringe Festival: The multi-week Fringe Festival continues with tons of live performances on stage this evening in neighborhoods all over Philadelphia. Tonight, more than 25 works of theater and dance are set to entertain, including LEO by Y2D Productions at the Arts Bank, The Sea Plays (Bound East for Cardiff & In the Zone) by Philadelphia Artists’ Collective at Penn’s Landing, and The Talkback by The Berserker Residents at Plays & Players. The full listing of tonight’s events is available here.

When: Wednesday, September 18Where: Various locationsCost: Varies

• Jason Rhoades, Four Roads Opening: In one of the most ambitious exhibitions ever presented by the Institute of Contemporary Art, Jason Rhoades, Four Roads takes over ICA in its entirety, with four installations focusing on four themes prevalent in the life of Rhoades. The show marks the first major American museum exhibition of the work of this little-exhibited, though exceptional artist who died in 2006 at just 41 years old. Tonight, celebrate the exhibition’s opening with talk from ICA chief curator Ingrid Schaffner at 6:30 p.m. and a public reception from 8 to 10 p.m.

• Oktoberfest at Frankford Hall: In celebration of Oktoberfest, Frankford Hall has a bunch of events going on for the next week. Tonight, the Fishtown hang out pairs up with Yards Brewing Company for a special beer release party featuring a new German pale ale specially crafted for the beer garden. Also tonight, enjoy an extended happy hour from 4 p.m. to close and an informative beer-centric lecture at 7:30 p.m.

• Brauhaus Schmitz’ Oktoberfest Liter Lift Competition Qualifying Rounds: South Street’s German beer hall hosts its own Masskrugstemmen, a competition of stein-holding skill. Each night this week at 8 p.m., 15 contenders will see who can hold a filled liter of beer with one outstretched arm for the longest time. The top two finishers from each night not only get sweet prize packages from various breweries, but also gain entry into the championship round, to be held on Saturday, September 21 at 2 p.m. Entry is free, but participants must reserve their spot here.

When: Wednesday, September 18, 8 p.m.Where: 718 South StreetCost: Pay as you go

• Center City District Restaurant Week: The fall installment of Center City Restaurant Week is here for the tasting. Enjoy discounted meals at more than 100 participating restaurants including Zahav, Amada, Mercato and Pumpkin BYOB. Restaurant week dinners ring in at $35 per person. The price does not include tax, gratuity or alcoholic beverages. The full list of participating restaurants and their menus is available here.

When: Wednesday, September 18Where: Participating restaurantsCost: Pay as you go

More picks for tonight, below.

• Wool to Live Exhibition Opening: Visit the ever-charming stadler-Kahn textile and design shop in Rittenhouse this evening to join in the opening festivities for Wool to Live II, an exhibition by Philadelphia-based sculptor Heidi Bleacher, who employs needle-felted wool in her whimsical pieces. Tonight, Bleacher will be in attendance demonstrating her needle-felting technique, while guests sip sangria and shop proprietor Alexander Stadler’s collection of objets d’art.

• Allagash Brewery Clam Bake at Southwark: Queen Village bar and restaurant Southwark hangs on to summer tonight, with a three-course clam bake and Allagash beer special during dinner service. For $35, diners can enjoy a salad with Allagash White vinaigrette, the bake with clams, corn, new potatoes, celery and house-made andouille sausage, and a sweet apple turnover.

• Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: Another Wednesday evening brings another night of discounted admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Head out for pay-what-you-wish Wednesday, ednesday night is always an eventful one at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Its Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday brings a variety of events to the forefront. The full listing of the night’s events is available here.